Books-A-Million — Local services in Fort Smith

I hadn't been into Books A Million in quite a few years and I don't think I'll plan on going back. I typically make my purchases from Amazon but with Christmas coming up I wanted to go ahead and make sure I could pick up a board game that I knew that they would have in stock. Browsing the store was great, it is laid out nice and they had plenty of options. I found my gift and got up to the counter with no issues.

When I got up to the counter the cashier was nice and after payment asked me if I would like to sign up for the rewards card that BAM does. I said that the card was nice and gave a firm "no thank you". The cashier, without missing a beat, continues to explain the discounts the card could provide me and asks how often I shopped at BAM. I informed her that "I hadn't been to the store in many years and would not be interested in the card today." She then picks up a sheet with all of the benefits and holds it up to show me the discounts the program would get me. After a third "No" and "I have too much money going out right now" she finally got the hint and stopped asking me. After this she then tells me that with my purchase today I was able to get 3 free magazines and that I can go ahead and pick them out from this flyer that she showed me. I figured that maybe there was some promotion being run by the magazines and I could take these issues home for free without a subscription. I pick my three "free" magazines and the cashier then starts asking for my name and other information. I get the sense that I'm getting signed up for some sort of subscription with a free first month. I ask her if this is going to automatically charge my card that I had used after the first month and the cashier just keeps on going trying to get my information while highlighting fine print things on this flyer she has given me. (The cashier next to her gives a short glance to the side as if he is surprised that she is being this persistent) I stop her and tell her that if this is one of these deals where I sign up for "free" and end up getting billed later that I'm not interested. She FINALLY stopped trying to get me to buy additional things 5 minutes after I had made my initial purchase. I'm in sales so I understand commissions but this was over the top. I will...

I truly have never in my life had an experience where I felt a retail employee was rude to me, and I’ve definitely never been rude back. However, last night I went in with the intention of buying several Nee Doh cubes and wanted to see if they had any. Before I even made it to the register where I know the cubes are, the young lady (thin with silvery blonde hair) by the door said “We close at 8” rudely and with clear frustration. I get it. I didn't know what time it was, and that is on me. It was 7:59. Not realizing that, I said “I just want to see if you have any cubes.” If she would have said “Hey! Just so you know, We have one minute until close. We open tomorrow at such and such time” I would have immediately just said “Oh, I’m sorry” and left. Any decent person would. But after I said I was just looking for cubes she RUDELY said “ooooooookkayyyyy????” like a teenager with an attitude would. Sensing the problem, I then glanced at my phone, realized it was 7:59, and turned immediately for the door. Embarrassed and feeling stupid and bad for even walking in, I told her we would not be back and she sarcastically said “Okay, thank you!” I was going to buy up the stock of Nee Dohs because I already bought one and all of my friends and my kids want one too.

There are better, more polite ways to handle this situation. I would be annoyed too but she does not have the tone to sustain business. I will never be back bc I dont want to risk encountering this...

Not a bad book store.

As far as a substitute for Barns n' Noble goes, this place is alright. The store is fairly small compared to most book stores I've been in of similar caliber. Their selection is okay but not the best. Where this book store shines is series. Typically when you go to a book store, they have book series that aren't completely stocked. I have yet to go in search of a full series without finding it. I feel it's also worth noting that they have magazines, memorabilia, music, t-shirts and DVD's. Though the latter three has a poor selection to choose from.

The store, in typical fashion, also has an attached coffee shop. I actually enjoy this coffee shop far more than Starbucks. The coffee is always good. Their selection is pretty wide and their bakery items such as cheesecake and pastries are delicious.

Edit: I expanded my review and gave the store two more stars. I recently moved to a location with a Barns & Noble. This move made me realise how much more I actually enjoy Books-A-Million over the branded experience of Barns & Noble. Thinking about the cheesecake at Books-A-Million may have changed my mind a little too,...